plastique fantastique creates a dream-like space at venice art biennale 2019

as part of 2019’s venice art biennale, plastique fantastique has formed ‘blurry venice’ – a site specific installation that invites visitors to experience an ‘imaginary landscape’. designed for the venice pavilion situated within the giardini area, the work intends to blur the boundaries between different environments. upon entering the passage, people are met by a circular space that has no defined walls, floor or ceiling. the project aims to form an immersive encounter, where perception is distorted into a ‘blurred dream-like’ place.

all images courtesy of plastique fantastique

‘blurry venice’ is created by plastique fantastique to sit on water, providing visitors with the odd sensation of walking on a surface that feels like liquid, yet is solid. in what resembles the historic architecture of venice itself, the tubular passageway is formed between several marble ‘briccola’ sculpted by fabio viale. these structures help to guide the shape of the expanding space. and as people make their way through the installation, they find themselves surrounded by the projection of their shadow, and the shadows of others, making them performers and observers to each other.

the space intends to blur the line between different worlds

with its pliable material and flexible shape, ‘blurry venice’ aims to facilitate an oneiric experience, where the boundaries between the external environment and architecture disappear. air, water and skyline melt together to create one dreamy installation. with the concept direction envisioned by artistic director stelios kois, plastique fantastique’s artwork will be on display at the venice pavilion during the venice art biennale 2019.

the shadows of other visitors can be seen through the material

the space has no defined walls 

the moment one first enters the space

visitors become both performers and observers

visitors enjoy the water surface

the passageway is formed between several marble ‘briccola’ sculpted by fabio viale

the installation can be seen from outside the venice pavilion

project info:

project name: ‘blurry venice’

location: venice pavilion, venice art biennale 2019

design: plastique fantastique

artistic director: stelios kois (kois architects)

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom